ASTHMA: Reversible Narrowing of Airway

Asthma is a common chronic reversible airway disease which is episodic in nature and usually develops at an early age. When the airway i.e. windpipe becomes inflamed, edematous due to either triggering substances or neurogenic mechanism, the patient experienced shortness of breathing, coughing, wheezing, because of the narrowing of the airway. This is known as asthma.

The prevalence of asthma is increasing day by day, especially in developed and developing country. The socio-economic impact of Asthma is enormous, as poor control or acute attack leads to unwanted leaves from school or work as well as unavoidable health care visit or even hospital admission.

Causes of Asthma:

Although the aetiology of asthma is not well known, genetic and some environmental factors have influences over the asthma attack.

In many individuals, there is a clear relationship between asthma and allergen exposure.

The common example of allergens includes house dust, mites, pets such as cats & dogs, pests such as cockroaches, fungi, pollen.

Presence of other allergic diseases like eczema, rhinosinusitis, nasal polyp may exacerbate the disease.

Sometimes occupational exposure to fumes, dust, chemical precipitates asthma attack, which is known as occupational asthma.